Trump Demands Document Changes from 36 Countries to Avoid a U.S. Travel Ban

New travel bans will be taking effect in 60 days that target 36 new countries that the United States wants to crack down on.

Written by: Timothy St. John • Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • 2 min read

• Last updated: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

36 new countries are now targeted with travel bans.

Quick overview

U.S. President Donald Trump is targeting 36 additional countries for travel bans, primarily focusing on African nations.
Countries must update their citizen documentation systems to avoid these bans, which are set to take effect within 60 days.
The new policy also aims to address illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. without appropriate documentation.
The administration has already revoked numerous travel visas, including nearly all from South Sudan, as part of its stricter immigration enforcement.

U.S. President Donald Trump is targeting 36 additional countries for travel bans and requires them to change how they document their citizens or face travel bans.

Travel bans from the United States will now affect many more countries.

Trump is calling for primarily African countries to change and update their systems of documenting their citizens and immigrants so that the United States can better control illegal immigration through its borders. Twenty-five nations targeted with potential bans are in Africa, and a total of 36 countries are part of this new wave of bans.

The ban is supposed to go into effect within 60 days, and it is not clear yet how much leeway the U.S. government will have with countries that are showing progress toward making the required changes. There is some question as to whether they have to meet the requirements fully to avoid the travel ban or if they simply need to show that they are working toward compliance.

Illegal Immigrants Targeted as Well

The new travel bans are not only looking at those coming from the host countries. It also considers those who are in the United States currently and who do not have the appropriate identification to show that they are there legally. The United States government under the Trump administration has been rounding up illegal immigrants recently and deporting them, and now the list of illegal immigrants will also include people in the United States who do not have what this administration considers to be appropriate documentation.

This move is designed to put pressure on people who overstay their visas, enacting a no tolerance policy where once there was plenty of leniency. The ban is also designed to call to action countries that have poor vetting processes so they will improve those processes and get them in line with the United States’ strict requirements.

As part of ongoing travel bans and deportation efforts, the United States has revoked numerous travel visas, including nearly all from South Sudan. The countries that would be included in this new and extended ban include Liberia, Egypt, Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More

Timothy St. John

Financial Writer - European & US Desks

Timothy St John is a seasoned financial analyst and writer, catering to the dynamic landscapes of the US and European markets. Boasting over a decade of extensive freelance writing experience, he has made significant contributions to reputable platforms such as Yahoo!Finance, business.com: Expert Business Advice, Tips, and Resources - Business.com, and numerous others. Timothy's expertise lies in in-depth research and comprehensive coverage of stock and cryptocurrency movements, coupled with a keen understanding of the economic factors influencing currency dynamics. Timothy majored in English at East Tennessee State University, and you can find him on LinkedIn.